Free Cancer Support - The Wellness Community

upcoming workshops & events

2010 Ongoing Monthly Workshops and Events

Stress Reduction and Mind-Body Activities

Throughout the year: Saturdays at 11 am and Wednesdays at 11 am “Fit and Well Worth It” @ End Results Fitness Training Center, 5205 PCH, Ste. D, Torrance, 90505; 310-378-4866 Let the personal trainers help you with your physical recovery from cancer. Their one-to-one attention will be well worth your time and effort. Don’t hesitate if you never considered this aspect of recovery, health and activity; offered to Wellness Community participants, cancer survivors and their support persons. Call to schedule a session; Must RSVP 24 hours in advance; space limited. You don't have to have any previous experience or fitness training. Must RSVP 24 hours in advance; space limited. Visit their website @ www.endresultsfitness.net

Every Monday, 9:00 - 10:15 am: Morning Yoga: Balance, inner calm, flexibility and strength; using a gentle approach and pose modification. We will practice breathing techniques, stretching, and meditation with Efrat. Drop in.

Every Monday, 1:30 - 2:30 pm: Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga is a gentle yoga practice that is ideal for beginners, seniors, and anyone who wishes to move at a slower pace with Mary Nieraeth. Drop in.

Every Tuesday, 2:00 - 3:00 pm: Pilates: Pilates helps people move, bend and stretch with benefits such as increased lung capacity and circulation through deep, healthy breathing and a stronger core with Cheryl Mansfield.
Sign up early - limited space.

Every Tuesday, 5:15 - 6:00 pm: Relaxation and Visualization with a TWC facilitator; Learn with others the fundamentals of practicing and using techniques like relaxation and visualization for reducing stress. This is a drop-in.

Wednesdays at 9:30 - 10:30 am: Early Yoga: Come to relax and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. Join Cathy Mueller and Nina Bellow at TWC for this class that will explore breathing techniques, simple stretches and guided relaxation. Drop in.

Thursdays at 12:00 - 1:00 pm: "Wellness Walkabout": Grab your good walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and water…join Nancy Coleman, owner of ShapeShift Pilates Studio, as she and fellow instructor Jamie Nelson will guide participants into healthful walking form, stretching, and burning calories while correcting imbalances in the body. Drop-in. **Class will now meet at ShapeShift™ By The Sea,
1820 S. Catalina Ave. #104/105, Redondo Beach, 90277 310.310.378.4455 www.shapeshiftpilates.com (In the Riviera Village above “Coffee Cartel”)

Thursdays at 6:00 - 7:00 pm: Gentle Hatha Yoga: Uniting your body, mind and spirit as taught by Joyce Gauss of Team Survivor: L.A. Drop-in.

4^th Friday, 12:30 - 3 PM; Reiki Energy Circle facilitated with Jovita Trani and other Reiki Masters from the South Bay. Sign up or drop-in for an opportunity to join with other participants in this Circle using Reiki energy techniques.

NEW GROUP!
Fridays, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Using Relaxation/Visualization
Relaxation and visualization is a kind of directed daydreaming, a way of using the imagination very specifically. To help mind and body heal, stay strong and even perform as needed. Join Scott Bonnel, LMFT, as he guides you through the key principles of Relaxation and Visualization. This is a drop-in group.

RSVP is required for all nutritional lunches as seating and lunch is limited. Nutritional Lunch Programs co-sponsored by http://www.worldfamousspot.com.

July Workshops and Events

Friday, July 30, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Nutritional Lunch

“Listening to Anxiety: How to Befriend Your Feelings”

Presented by Scott A. Bonnel, LMFT – Program Manager – TWC-SBC

& Michelle Kobayashi, Trainee Intern @ TWC-SBC

Anxiety is a powerful feeling that has an amazing ability to trick us into thinking we are in immediate danger. However, if you can learn to Listen to Anxiety, you might just find that it is trying to get your attention for another reason. How do you listen to your feelings? Scott and Michelle will present ways to use emotions as guides, increase mindfulness and teach yourself how to create the mental and emotional space needed to cope with the anxieties you may be facing during your treatment and recovery process.

August Workshops and Events

Friday, August 13, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Nutritional Lunch
“Cancer & Medical Marijuana” presented by Bonnie Goldstein, MD,

Medical Director Marijuana Medicine Evaluation Centers (MMEC)

Did you know that Californians can use medical marijuana legally? Did you know that it is legal for Californians to speak with a doctor regarding the use of medical marijuana? Learn how medical marijuana is being used by cancer patients for relief of pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety and many more symptoms.

Since the passage of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215), many ill Californians have found relief from symptoms with medical marijuana.

Over 1500 California physicians have recommended medical marijuana under Prop. 215. Medical marijuana clinics specialize in providing medical marijuana recommendations, information on the medical use of marijuana, patient verifications, ID cards and full medical support for all patients in a safe and supportive environment.

Marijuana Medicine Evaluation Centers is one of more than 30 medical marijuana clinics in the Southern California area. Dr. Bonni Goldstein, the Medical Director for MMEC, will be here to discuss all aspects of medical marijuana.

A healthy lunch is donated by World Famous The Spot Restaurant.

Monday August 16, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
“Keeping Your Brain Young: Strategies for People Over 35!”

with Elizabeth Amini, Founder and CEO of Anti-AgingGames.com

Cancer patients may find themselves at greater risk in developing any number of medical issues. In this educational workshop, you will learn the 10 lifestyle tips that have the most risk reduction potential for Alzheimer’s, dementia, and stroke. The tips have been distilled from 14,000 medical studies reviewed by Jeff Victoroff M.D., a Harvard-trained, double-board-certified Neuropsychiatrist and Neurobehaviorist, and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Anti-AgingGames.com. Elizabeth has condensed 50 hours worth of research into a one hour talk that is easy to understand and to implement.

Advance registration preferred, but drop-ins are welcome.

Un Viernes por mes, 20 Augosto de 5 – 7 pm
Celebrando la Vida

Este grupo en español, es para pacientes, sobrevivientes, y familiares combatiendo el cáncer. Reúnase con nosotros para encontrar apoyo, amistad, compasión, esperanza y para aprender como mejor combatir esta enfermedad. Celebrando la Vida, Grupo en Español con Maria Gallo, MA. Por favor, para mas información y para registrarse.
Llame al 323-296-2440. El programa es completamente gratis.

Saturday August 21, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
"Writing for Wellness"
with Barbara Abercrombie

This monthly program offers everyone affected by cancer, participants, family and friends ways to express themselves through writing. Barbara is a favorite with participants and teaches at the UCLA Writer’s Program and is the author of many books. Drop in.

Friday August 27, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Nutritional Lunch

“Sing-along, Tone or Hmm Sing” with Janis Lukstien

Come and join the fun learning how to use sounds to calm, energize and heal yourself and others. Sing-along, tone or HmmSing to CD’s with simple healing songs.

Wellness Community members will first, feel the relaxing calm of birds with the sunrise building to the power of choral reading/singing, adapting words and phrases or just listening to a group singing uplifting lyrics. No skills or preparation needed.

Janis Lukstein, (also our Wellness Community “Tickled Pink” Volunteer Clown) is our guide and director during this user friendly process which she has used over the past 40 years to empower her students and adults.

A healthy lunch is donated by World Famous The Spot Restaurant.

September Workshops and Events

Friday, September 10, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Nutritional Lunch

“Using Flower Essences for More Happiness & Health”
with Janet Schultz, MA, Certified Homeopath

Life stresses can leave us feeling overwhelmed and depleted of vitality and strength. Flower essences are a simple and natural method of correcting emotional imbalances, encouraging equilibrium and harmony and strengthening the body’s natural ability to throw off illness. Flower essences can help give clarity to one’s life purpose and the courage, strength and enthusiasm to follow and pursue one’s goals and dreams. Learn how you can develop a higher level of intuition, self-esteem, spirituality, creativity and fun!

A healthy lunch is donated by World Famous The Spot Restaurant.

Wednesday, September 15, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
“Ask the Doctor: Prostate Cancer”
with Timothy Lesser, MD - South Bay Urology

Join prostate cancer survivors and their family members and discuss

current treatment options and post treatment management.

The prostate networking group will begin at 5:00 pm, followed by a discussion with Dr. Lesser.

Un Viernes por mes, 17 Septiembre de 5 – 7 pm
Celebrando la Vida.

Este grupo en español, es para pacientes, sobrevivientes, y familiares combatiendo el cáncer. Reúnase con nosotros para encontrar apoyo, amistad, compasión, esperanza y para aprender como mejor combatir esta enfermedad. Celebrando la Vida, Grupo en Español con Maria Gallo, MA. Por favor, para mas información y para registrarse.
Llame al 323-296-2440. El programa es completamente gratis.

Saturday September 18, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
"Writing for Wellness"
with Barbara Abercrombie

This monthly program offers everyone affected by cancer, participants, family and friends ways to express themselves through writing. Barbara is a favorite with participants and teaches at the UCLA Writer’s Program and is the author of many books. Drop in.

Monday, September 20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

“Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Coping with the Cost of Care”

Presented by Tiffany Sirikulvadhana

Tiffany Sirikulvadhana, staff attorney with Cancer Legal Resource Center, a national center for legal information and resources, and Tom May, Program Director, this program aims to streamline the crucial resources available to people in treatment for cancer. Created by Cancer Support Community, the workshop and booklet sheds light on the psychological impact of incurring debt, sometimes for the first time, in combination with psychological impact of coping with a cancer diagnosis. The program provides a practical guide to navigating the numerous and complex
challenges of managing the cost of cancer care.

Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

“Survivorship Concerns After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis”

Presented by James R. Waisman, MD,
Breast Medical Oncologist, Breastlink Medical Group

Dr. James Waisman will discuss the many survivorship concerns after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Because many women live long, productive lives after a breast cancer diagnosis, survivorship is an area of focus for him. Survivorship concerns are rarely addressed and are important to all women after their own diagnosis. He is pleased to present the opportunity for you to learn and discuss this developing topic.